Learned person sat around van (6)

I believe the answer is:

savant

'learned person' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'sat around van' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'sat' placed around 'van' is 'SAVANT'.

(Other definitions for savant that I've seen before include "Wise fellow" , "Idiot- - -" , "Clever sort" , "Melchior?" , "A learned person in France (6)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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